US3823846A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Means for automatically dispensing preselected volumes of a beverage
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-08-26
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Granted: 1974-07-16
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Expires: 1991-08-26
Abstract
Abstract A control circuit for a beverage dispenser such as a soft drink dispenser. The closing of a push button actuates the dispensing solenoids and a time delay relay. The solenoids remain energized for a period of time determined by the relay and means are provided for selecting one of two time intervals to dispense either large or small drink. Counters are also provided to record the number of large and small drinks dispensed.
Inventors
- 👤 T Probst
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 12:42
CPC Classifications
B; B67; B67D; B67D1/00; B67D1/08; B67D1/12; B67D1/1202; B67D1/1234; G; G01; G01F; G01F13/00; G01F13/006; B67D2210/00; B67D2210/00028; B67D2210/00081; B67D2210/00091
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
334 words
Beverage dispensing apparatus, comprising: a source of carbonated water; a first solenoid valve connected to the source of carbonated water for controlling the quantity of carbonated water dispensed; a source of flavoring syrup; a second solenoid valve connected to the source of flavoring syrup for controlling the quantity of flavoring syrup dispensed; a first switch; a first control relay connected to and energized by the first switch and having a first normally open contact which, upon energization of the first control relay, closes to actuate the first and second solenoid valves; a second switch; a second control relay connected to and energized by the second switch and having a first normally open contact which, upon energization of the second control relay, closes to actuate the first and second solenoid valves, the first and second control relays each having a normally closed contact in series connection with the second and first control relays respectively whereby energization of the first or second control relay causes the associated normally closed contact to open and thus respectively preventing energization of the second or first control relay; a resistor-type time delay relay connected to second normally open contacts of the first and second control relays and energized by the actuation of either of said control relays, the time delay relay having normally closed contacts, one connected to and providing a holding circuit for each of the control relays, the contacts being respectively operative to open after respective predetermined time intervals to deenergize the associated control relay, terminating the dispensing cycle; and first and second resistances of different values for determining the operating interval of the time delay relay, an additional normally open contact of the first control relay for connecting the first resistance to the time delay relay, and an additional normally open contact of the second control relay for connecting the second resistance to the time delay relay, the first and second resistances providing means for determining the respective time intervals of operation of the time delay relays.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
334 words
Beverage dispensing apparatus, comprising: a source of carbonated water; a first solenoid valve connected to the source of carbonated water for controlling the quantity of carbonated water dispensed; a source of flavoring syrup; a second solenoid valve connected to the source of flavoring syrup for controlling the quantity of flavoring syrup dispensed; a first switch; a first control relay connected to and energized by the first switch and having a first normally open contact which, upon energization of the first control relay, closes to actuate the first and second solenoid valves; a second switch; a second control relay connected to and energized by the second switch and having a first normally open contact which, upon energization of the second control relay, closes to actuate the first and second solenoid valves, the first and second control relays each having a normally closed contact in series connection with the second and first control relays respectively whereby energization of the first or second control relay causes the associated normally closed contact to open and thus respectively preventing energization of the second or first control relay; a resistor-type time delay relay connected to second normally open contacts of the first and second control relays and energized by the actuation of either of said control relays, the time delay relay having normally closed contacts, one connected to and providing a holding circuit for each of the control relays, the contacts being respectively operative to open after respective predetermined time intervals to deenergize the associated control relay, terminating the dispensing cycle; and first and second resistances of different values for determining the operating interval of the time delay relay, an additional normally open contact of the first control relay for connecting the first resistance to the time delay relay, and an additional normally open contact of the second control relay for connecting the second resistance to the time delay relay, the first and second resistances providing means for determining the respective time intervals of operation of the time delay relays.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The beverage dispensing apparatus according to claim 1 further including counting means connected to and actuated by the control relays for recording the number of drinks dispensed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
267 words
A control circuit for a beverage dispensing apparatus of the type having a dispensing nozzle for dispensing a quantity of beverage into a container, a source of carbonated water, a first solenoid valve controlling the flow of carbonaTed water to the nozzle, a source of flavoring syrup, and a second solenoid valve for controlling the flow of flavoring syrup to the nozzle, comprising: a first control relay having a first normally open contact which, upon energization of the relay, closes to actuate the solenoid valve; a first switch connected to and operative for energizing the first control relay; a second control relay having a first normally open contact which, upon energization of the relay, closes to actuate the solenoid valves; a second switch connected to and operative for energizing the second control relay; a time delay device connected to and energized by the closing of the first normally open contacts of the control relays, the time delay device including normally closed contacts to provide holding circuits for the control relays which open after specific time intervals; time interval selection means connected to the time delay device; at least two resistors of different values connected to the time interval selection means such that actuation of the time interval selection means is operative to electrically connect one of the two resistors to the time delay device to achieve the specific time intervals; and wherein the first and second control relays each have normally closed contacts interconnecting the two relays in an operationally mutually exclusive manner whereby actuation of either of the control relays inhibits coincident actuation of the other.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
267 words
A control circuit for a beverage dispensing apparatus of the type having a dispensing nozzle for dispensing a quantity of beverage into a container, a source of carbonated water, a first solenoid valve controlling the flow of carbonaTed water to the nozzle, a source of flavoring syrup, and a second solenoid valve for controlling the flow of flavoring syrup to the nozzle, comprising: a first control relay having a first normally open contact which, upon energization of the relay, closes to actuate the solenoid valve; a first switch connected to and operative for energizing the first control relay; a second control relay having a first normally open contact which, upon energization of the relay, closes to actuate the solenoid valves; a second switch connected to and operative for energizing the second control relay; a time delay device connected to and energized by the closing of the first normally open contacts of the control relays, the time delay device including normally closed contacts to provide holding circuits for the control relays which open after specific time intervals; time interval selection means connected to the time delay device; at least two resistors of different values connected to the time interval selection means such that actuation of the time interval selection means is operative to electrically connect one of the two resistors to the time delay device to achieve the specific time intervals; and wherein the first and second control relays each have normally closed contacts interconnecting the two relays in an operationally mutually exclusive manner whereby actuation of either of the control relays inhibits coincident actuation of the other.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
The control circuit according to claim 3 further including a counter for each time interval, the means to select being operative to connect the respective counter to the circuit whereby the number of beverages of each quantity dispensed is counted.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
A control circuit as recited in claim 3 wherein the time interval selection means comprises second normally open contacts of the first and second control relays.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-07-15 | 1978-01-14 | 1978-07-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-07-15 | 1982-01-14 | 1982-07-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-07-15 | 1986-01-14 | 1986-07-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |